Internet Explorer- End of life

Beginning June 15, 2022, Microsoft will be retiring Internet Explorer.

If you are still using Internet Explorer as your default browser, please switch to another browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

We have a helpful knowledge base article to assist you.

Any applications or sites that are traditionally only accessible in Internet Explorer can be opened in Microsoft Edge using the Compatibility Mode feature. 

If you use Internet Explorer for linking documents, you may now use any browser to complete this function. 

If you have any questions about this change, we encourage you to reach out to the IT Support Desk at 616-234-4357 or by visiting our Customer Support Portal at supportdesk.grcc.edu to submit a ticket. 

Dean of Business & Industry candidate presentations

The Dean of Business & Industry screening committee invites the campus community to attend the candidate presentations. 

The presentations are available in-person and virtually. We would encourage anyone who can attend in person to join us in ATC 168 (Auditorium). 

Candidate 1: Friday, June 10 from 10:15 – 11:15 am in ATC 168 or live streamed. 

Candidate 2: Monday, June 20 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm in ATC 168 or live streamed. 

Candidate 3: Wednesday, June 22 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm in ATC 168 or live streamed. 

GRCC Athletics Department renames scholarships to honor retiring athletic trainer Mike Roche

Mike Roche, who assisted generations of Grand Rapids Community College student-athletes as athletic trainer, is being honored by having athletic scholarships named in his honor.

Roche has served GRCC students for 28 years. His departure, a year after receiving the National Athletic Trainer of the Year from the National Junior College Athletic Association, is one of several changes in the GRCC Athletic Department as the program wraps up the 2021-2022 year.

Roche earned national honors for his focus on athletic training, pandemic wellness protocols and keeping GRCC student-athletes safe and physically prepared during a pandemic season both historically challenging and successful.

In addition to supporting about 150 athletes each year in partnership with physicians and medical specialists, Roche’s duties included overseeing student trainer interns, NJCAA compliance requirements, equipment and uniforms for all of the college’s teams. He also taught athletic training classes for GRCC.

“GRCC’s athletics programs wouldn’t be as historic without the guidance and leadership of Mike Roche,” women’s basketball coach David Glazier said.

Michael Roche A.T.C. Athletic Scholarships next year will be awarded to one GRCC student-athlete on each of the program’s eight teams. Students are selected by the Athletic Department. People can donate to the scholarships at grcc.edu/donate.

The baseball program is losing two longtime coaches after a season that included a second-place conference finish and a third-place regional finish. The team also celebrated a 17-game win streak that was snapped in the late rounds of the NJCAA Region 12 tournament.

Carl Pohlman is retiring from coaching after serving his last four years under head coach Mike Eddington, primarily working with the pitching staff. His plans to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren, travel more, and volunteer for various causes.  

Pohlman’s career includes three years at Aquinas College as associate head coach and 17 years at Muskegon Community College, winning more than 500 games.

“I am grateful to Coach Eddington for allowing me to work with the team for the past four years,” Pohlman said. “He is a great coach and an even better man.  GRCC is well served for having him as their head coach!  He bleeds Raider blue! I will miss the players and the daily interaction with the team and the coaching staff and I will continue to support the Raiders anyway that I can.”

Mark Rasmussen is transitioning from assistant baseball coach to assistant golf coach during the 2022-23 school year. It will be the fourth sport he has coached at GRCC, previously working with men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Rasmussen also coached baseball for seven years at Ottawa Hills High School, for nine years at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, for four years at Forest Hills Central High School and for five years at Aquinas College.

“My time working with the coaching staff and all of the players has been unforgettable,” Rasmussen said. “I’m truly going to miss watching the players grow and develop into better people and baseball players. Moving on, I am excited to be able to work with one of my best friends, John Forton and help the golf team compete for a national championship.”

Workforce Wednesday: Tyler Thompson plans GRCC Computer Support Tech classes around work schedule, now has new career

Tyler Thompson graduated with a marketing degree from Ferris State University in 2017. He continued as a manager at a local restaurant as he looked for work in the marketing field

When the pandemic struck, Thompson paused to think about what he really wanted to do in the future. A friend who previously took a Grand Rapids Community College Workforce Training program and is successfully working in the technology field told him about the Job Training Computer Support Technician program.

GRCC Workforce Training programs provide in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. We are introducing students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates.

Thompson connected with instructor Moss Ingram. He began the program in January and has already completed it.

“One of the biggest factors to enrolling for me was the fact that it is completely online. It allowed me the time to do the school work and still balance my work schedule,” Thompson said. “I really liked the format – we started with an 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Zoom meeting and then the rest of the day I worked on the lab work.”

Although the Computer Support Technician Job Training Program is offered in an entirely remote format, there is still a personal element to the program. Instructor Ingram stresses that entirely online should not deter anyone from taking the program.

“We have structured the program in a way that provides flexibility but keeps the personal interaction necessary to be successful in the program and in the industry,” Ingram said.

The Job Training Computer Support Technician program prepares students to achieve two certifications: the CompTIA A+ Certification and the Network+ Certification. Both of these IT certifications are globally recognized and represent in-demand skills sought by a wide array of employers.

“The biggest difference between this program and my bachelor’s degree program is the hands-on skills I learned and the certifications I gained,” Thompson said. “In this program, you learn how to actually do real world work. By learning this way, you feel like you really know what you are doing. I gained skills I never thought I could. That gave me confidence so that I didn’t feel like an imposter. I have already received my A+ certification and plan on pursuing the Network+ certification as well.”

Thompson credits his instructor for inspiring him.

“Moss is amazing. He is the most inspiring and compassionate person I’ve ever worked with. I’ve never met anyone so genuine.”

This program is designed to address Computer Support from four perspectives: technical, professionalism and employability, business innovation, and design. Students regularly meet local IT technicians, engineers, business owners, and recruiters via Zoom to learn from their experiences and current market expectations.

One of the projects in the program is building a resume and getting comfortable in today’s style of job searching. While working his project, Thompson noticed a posting for an IT Customer Support Technician at GRCC. He applied.

“I just figured I am doing this project anyway, I might as well apply. I was contacted by GRCC and went through the interview process. I start on Monday!”

Looking forward, Thompson is excited to join the GRCC IT team. He is delighted to work a regular daytime schedule. He has even recruited his brother who is currently enrolled in the CST program.

 “I was very hesitant to do this at first. It was a shot in the dark but I couldn’t be happier.”

GRCC has an unmatched reputation among employers for supplying West Michigan with work-ready technicians. Our graduates specialize in providing empathy for the people they support while solving complex problems using troubleshooting and design thinking methodologies. Students are also taught to focus on human-centered solutions and technology-based innovations for both colleagues and customers.

Next Computer Support Technician program begins August 8, 2022 with details at grcc.edu/jobtraining

GRCC In the News 06/08/2022

New gluten-free fast casual restaurant now open in Grand Rapids

6/6/22 100.5 FM

Papa Chops Eatery on 28th Street near Breton Road is now open.

… A diagnosis of celiac disease in 2019 inspired Muller to enroll in culinary school at Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute, to be able to cook food for his family at home. It set him on a new career path. Celiac disease, which is estimated to affect 1 out of 100 people worldwide, is an autoimmune disease in which the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.

West Mich. higher ed sees major recent leadership turnover

6/6/22 mibiz.com

West Michigan colleges and universities saw significant leadership turnover during the spring, bringing in a new crop of presidents as workforce development proves crucial during a widespread talent crunch.

Throughout a three-month span this spring, Ferris State University, Calvin University, Muskegon Community College and Aquinas College all announced the appointment of new presidents. Grand Rapids Community College named an interim president as it searches for its next leader.

Kent County names first coordinator of immigrant, refugee Welcome Plan

6/7/22 mibiz.com

Kent County has appointed Hollin De La Cruz as its welcome plan coordinator, a newly created position to oversee the county’s formal efforts to welcome immigrants and refugees.

… De La Cruz starts in the new role on June 13. She previously served as a program navigator for the Integrated English Literacy and Crisis Education grant for Kent ISD Adult Education. De La Cruz has a bachelor’s degree in French from Grand Valley State University, an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College, and is proficient in Spanish and French.

Lack of parts and mechanics adds weeks to car repairs in Michigan

6/7/22 Bridge Magazine

LANSING — Nicholas Randall may extend work days at Redline Auto Services to 12 hours, spanning from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays then staying open on the weekends.

… Chad Lodenstein, who leads the automotive department at Grand Rapids Community College, said this is the highest demand for car mechanics in the job market he has ever seen.

Coastal Container’s $25M expansion expected to create 60 new jobs

6/7/22 secondwavemedia.com

Coastal Container Corp., a full-service provider of packaging supplies serving multiple industries — including agriculture, automotive, e-commerce, and food and beverage — is investing $25 million to expand its operations in the city of Holland. 

… Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is providing assistance to the company through a Michigan New Jobs Training Program valued at $400,000, and the Holland Board of Public Works is aiding the expansion through an Economic Development Incentive Rider, whose value is still undetermined.